Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The U.S. House of Representatives demonstrated yet another example of "Big Brother" overreach by the federal government by obligating itself to pay more than $500,000 for outside attorneys to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal courts.

The Defense of Marriage Act was struck down in 2010 when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts sued the United States Government. Since then, Vermont, Connecticut, and several other states have sided with Massachusetts in the lawsuit.

U.S. District Court Judge Tauro, nominated to the bench by President Richard Nixon, ruled that DOMA violates the U.S. Constitution. U.S. District Court Judge Tauro stated the denial of federal rights and benefits to lawfully married Massachusetts couples "offends" the notion of states' rights as enshrined in the 10th amendment to the U.S. Constitution by:

"Intruding on areas of exclusive state authority, as well as the Spending Clause, by forcing the Commonwealth to engage in invidious discrimination against its own citizens in order to receive and retain federal funds in connection with two joint federal-state programs.

Congress and the President exceeded its authority in legislating the issue and that the measure infringed states' rights to regulate marriage and other domestic policies within their sovereign borders. Tauro said he agreed with Massachusetts that the law forced the Commonwealth "to engage in invidious discrimination against its own citizens in order to receive and retain federal funds."

The U.S. House of Representatives is wasting over $500,000 in taxpayer dollars to fight the ruling. Over the past 20 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has restricted the authority of Congress and the U.S. President to interfere in the jurisdiction of the States (that is the reason they are sovereign, and can nullify and/or condemn federal laws and refuse to enforce them).

This is an affront to the sovereignty of the States and yet another example of federal overreach and wasteful spending.

Instead of "God Save the Queen," as the rallying statement in Canada, the United Kingdom and her other countries, let it now be said in the United States: "God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," for having the courage (and money) to stand-up to the United States Government in protest of the Defense of Marriage Act.

U.S. President Obama is showing the American people how anti-equality the new Tea Party and Republicans in the new U.S. House of Representatives are. U.S. President Obama ordered the U.S. Department of Justice not to fight U.S. District Court Judge Tauro's decision not only because of the cost involved, but because this is politics in its ugliest form; the decision of U.S. President Obama was also to appease the heat and countless rallies against him for failing to provide campaign promises to the LGBTI community.

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Come Together Kentucky 2011 was hosted by Morehead State University's ALLYance.

ALLYance members are dedicated, supportive, open, and loving.

Never did I pass an ALLYance member who didn't say hello and/or extend their hand to me. Their attitudes speak both to the wonderful college students and individuals they are in addition to the entire University and the people who nurture them.

The dedication, work, and time ALLYance put into organizing Come Together Kentucky 2011 was amazing. From Toni Hobbs, Sheena Thompson, Kristy Hayes, to the President, Treasurer, Vice President, etc. of ALLYance, they are all truly unique and loving people.

Kentucky Equality Federation attended Come Together Kentucky 2011, gave money to Morehead State University ALLYance, and helped ensured next years Come Together Kentucky will be held at the University of Louisville at the request of Brian Buford (after Mr. Burford, Toni Hobbs and I discussed it briefly).

Mr. Buford asked me how a University gets to host Come Together Kentucky, I brought him and Ms. Hobbs together, gave my opinion, and she happily passed the torch.

It brought joy to me to see the look in Brian Buford's eyes that Come Together Kentucky 2012 will be held at the University of Louisville. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Buford began writing down ideas (for an event a year away) and it brought genuine happiness to me that I was able to play a small role in helping him get something for the University of Louisville he wanted with all his heart.

When you see enthusiasm in someones eyes, you realize why you are fighting for equality, and there was a lot of enthusiasm at Come Together Kentucky 2011 thanks to ALLYance.

Brian Buford is the director of the University of Louisville's Office LGBT Services. Toni Hobbs is a co-founder and current adviser to Morehead State University's ALLYance. Special thanks to Ms. Hobbs for passing the torch to the University of Louisville next year; I cannot wait to see what they put together.

--> Posted by a volunteer Community Blogger of Kentucky Equality Federation. This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.

"Many people and groups are victims of discrimination. Some are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, sexual identity, race, gender, veteran status, or political identification (or lack thereof). Discrimination takes many forms, and it is necessary that the victims of such treatment strive for a better world where all groups, orientations, identities, creeds, and political groups can achieve equality." - Josh Koch, Vice President of Policy and Public Relations.

This is the official blog of Kentucky Equality Federation. Posts contained in this blog may not be the official position of Kentucky Equality Federation, its volunteer officers, directors, management, supported organizations, allies or coalitions, but rather the personal opinions or views of the volunteer Community Bloggers. The opinions or views expressed in the blog are protected by Section 1 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as non-slanderous free speech; blogs are personal views or opinions and not journalistic news sites.